hook tail - Page 1

Any GSD specialists pls. tell me, can hooktail be corrected? If yes, then how ? I have a puppy with this prblm.

I am aware of a simple procedure where a splint is fastened around the tail to help it straighten. I have never done this, though, and cannot recommend it. I presume that the splint will correct the tail as long as the hook is not caused by a damaged vertebrae. Certainly there must be someone who has done this and can provide more information. The hooking is usually due to the way the dog tries to raise its tail in a bit uncoordinated fashion. I have one (1) female who even at four (4) years of age still has a slight hook, but I do often see her relax it and the tail hangs normally. Bob-O

THANX! BOB-O Thats true.My pup's tail also looks normal when he is relaxed

genetics, cannot be fixed without a cut of a scalpe. happens ,

minor genetic fault unless too pronounced. If untowardly noticable, the dog should probably not be used for breeding. If the dog will not be a top show competitor and stud, it's of no consequence for the pet owner or schutzhund competitor.

Hello brudo, YES there is something you can do. I have had a procedure done a few times. The hook tail detracts from the top line of a gaiting dog. The ligaments of the tail are cut all the way along the tail. No stitches are required. The tail is bandaged for 3-4 hours and then the bandages are taken off. It takes some 6 weeks for the tail to fully "heal" and settle however the results are superb. Caution: You need someone very skilled to perfom it. Cost is $200-$400.

In the AKC world that surgery is illegal. Does the SV permit it?

IF sv does allow it, that would be a shame. How would a conciencous breeder who purchased the dog after the surgery and had no knowledge of it, be able to determine the breed worthyness of a dog ?

A hook tail may be genetic or may because the pup has a very long tail. How old is your pup? If it is still young this may help. Your pup probably has a long tail with hairs touching the ground, this is irritating and makes the pup curl its tail. If this is the case then the solution is quite simple. Just trim the hairs at the tip of the tail. This may help reduce the irritation and there by reduce the habit of curling the tail into a hook. But this will probably help only if the pup is still young and the habit has yet not formed. Hope this helps.

read the other posts on tails. The tail of the GSD and its carriage is very important for analysis. Since this is almost always genetic unless due to an injury (rare), it's best not to use these dogs for breeding. A long or "dead" tail is often a sign of faulty spinal innervation and an early indicator of myopathy. The old time breeders who are very skilled can sometimes partially dislocate (by backbending) some of the segments of the hooked part of the tail. When younger breeders watch this and try it they almost always permanently harm the ligamentation and innervation of the tail, suggesting spinal damage when it isn't there. The AKC and SV does not allow any cosmetic surgery to GSDs.